Move To Optional Participation Follows Concerns Voiced By
Association

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes a
recent decision by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
to significantly change "Operation Playbook," a controversial
security program for general aviation facilities at airports
introduced through a pilot program last year.

A Critical Instrument for Pilots Flying in Task-Saturated
Situations

Avionics supplier FreeFlight Systems announced Friday the
introduction of a new radar altimeter display, the RAD-40. A
panel-mount digital display, the RAD-40 provides the pilot with a
precise readout of the aircraft's height above ground level on a
bright LED readout.

Stocks Holding Their Own As Blue Chips Fall

Stock analysts who for years have been turning up their noses at
the airline industry are now forced to acknowledge that, in a time
when blue chips are tanking, airlines don't look so bad as an
investment.

Three Small Aircraft Have Crashed Recently, All Loaded With
Marijuana

As the United States has tightened security in recent years
along its southern border with Mexico, drug traffickers have become
more creative in their attempts to smuggle their wares into the
country... and they're increasingly turning to ultralight aircraft
to do it.

Advertisement

But Were Costs Artificially Low To Start?

An FBO price war that lasted for years at New York's Greater
Rochester International Airport (ROC) has ended... and with it, low
rents and service costs which made the airport wildly popular among
general aviation interests.

System Will Address Capacity At Nation's Busiest Airports

Raytheon was recently awarded a contract to develop the NextGen
Terminal Data Distribution System, which will make more efficient
use of the crowded airspace in the US. The contract was awarded by
the US Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation
Systems Center, part of the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration. The Volpe Center provides key support to the
Federal Aviation Administration on NextGen.

Chicago-Based Av-Insurance Firm Has Offices Around Country

NationAir Aviation Insurance announced this week it has
appointed three sales executives. Alison Hunter is sales executive
for the Great Lakes region, Brian Lauer is sales executive for the
Southeast and Jamie Zigler is sales executive for Missouri and
surrounding states.

Will Be Used For First S-70i Helicopter

PZL Mielec, an affiliate of Sikorsky Aircraft based in Poland,
celebrated Thursday the rollout of the first Black Hawk helicopter
cabin produced at the facility. The event took place on the second
anniversary of the acquisition of PZL Mielec.

Record Number of Performers Scheduled -- This Is THE Place To
Be This April!

The airshow industry, and the community that supports it,
is said to be a close-knit and supportive one... and if there was
ever any doubt about that, it has to disappear with the upcoming
Cecil Field Airshow... a celebration of aviation that has been
brought about, in large part, to help and support Alan Henley
...

System Traffic Down 5.7 Percent From 2007, Down 3.7 Percent In
2008

The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on
US airlines in December 2008 declined by 5.7 percent from December
2007, dropping by 3.4 million to 57.4 million, according to
statistic released Thursday by the Department of Transportation's
Bureau of Transportation Statistics. December was the 10th
consecutive month with a decrease in passengers from 2007.

Proponents Expect Project To Still Move Forward

One of two plans to build a massive wind turbine farm near
Rumford, ME has come up against strong turbulence from the FAA,
though backers of the project say the objection should prove to be
little more than moderate chop.

Not Enough Have Taken Early Retirement, Carrier Says

American Airlines will make good on earlier threats of more
layoffs. The flight attendants union for the Fort Worth, TX-based
airline confirmed this week 323 FAs will be handed their walking
papers after April 1, after fewer workers than expected opted to
voluntarily leave their jobs.

Wants $1 Million For $200 Video Game Console

A 21-year-old Yale University student has sued US Airways for up
to $1 million, after claiming his XBox 360 video game console was
stolen from his checked bag on a flight from New Haven, CT to
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Former 787 Development Director Joined HBC In May 2007

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announced this week the
appointment of Edward Petkus to the position of vice president,
Product Development and Engineering. Petkus has served the role in
an acting capacity since December.

Advertisement

"Shaping a mission for NASA that is appropriate for the
21st century is going to be one of the biggest tasks of my new NASA
director. What I don't what NASA to do is just limp along. And I
don't think that's good for the economy in the region
either."

Source: President Barack Obama. During an
interview this week with the Los Angeles Times, President Obama
gave his opinion on NASA's current vision... or rather, the lack of
same.